Tag Archives: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance

Residents warned about overtopping as DWS opens 5th sluice gate  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 April 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass cautioned the communities in low-lying areas of the riverbanks in the Northern Cape of possible overtopping following the opening of the 5th sluice gate of the Vaal Dam on 6 April 2025, by the Department of Water and Sanitation. Vass said due to the increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflow at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower-lying areas within the 100 metres.

He further discourages people from conducting rituals at the rivers and activities like baptisms, swimming and fishing and crossing the rivers by foot or with motor vehicles on submerged bridges. Vass added that, they have engaged all five District Disaster Management Centres across the province to submit situational reports to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), so that should the need arise for immediate intervention and mobilisation of resources, they are ready at the PDMC to provide such support.

“The department through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is on high alert for immediate response.  The Department of Water and Sanitation is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said due to the rapid increase of inflows into the Vaal Dam, a 5th sluice gate has been opened on Sunday to manage water levels that have increased overnight as a result of the ongoing rainfall in the Vaal River catchment.

Mavasa said this is 24-hours after the department opened the 4th sluice gate at the Vaal Dam.

“The water storage levels at the dam stood at 108% on Friday, but as of Sunday, the levels had risen to 109%. The outflows at the dam will increase from 550 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) to just under 700 mᵌ/s.

“The inflows into the dam have increased since this morning from 1000 m3/s to 1200 m3/s by midday.

Bloemhof Dam storage levels have also risen from yesterday’s 103% to 107% this morning and water releases will be staggered incrementally from the current 1000 mᵌ/s to 1 100 m³/s at 10am; 1 200 m³/s at 12h00; 1 300 m³/s at 14h00 and the last increase at 16h00 to 1 400 m3/s,” he said.

Mavasa further said the increased outflows from Vaal Dam are expected to reach the Vaal Barrage in about 6 hours and Bloemhof Dam in 3 to 4 days and will result in water levels rising in both the dam and the river, overtopping the riverbanks. He added that, due to increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflowing at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower lying areas within the 100-year floodline.

“People living within the high floodline of the Vaal River downstream of the Vaal Dam and the Bloemhof Dam should evacuate and move to a safe area, and remove valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock.

At Grootdraai Dam located in Mpumalanga in the Upper Vaal River Catchment, upstream of the Vaal Dam, one sluice gate remains open to enable water releases. The Dam is currently sitting at 102%.

“The department is implementing these necessary controlled water releases at the dams as part of dam safety precautions to safeguard the infrastructure. DWS is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” said Mavasa.

He said through various platforms, the department continuously shares hydrology reports and provides regular updates regarding the water levels in the dams, with recommendations in order to provide early warnings in case of flooding.
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Vass meet with contractors appointed for 1 Billion Rand Housing project 

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Picture: Some of contractors appointed/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE 

13 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass on Thursday, met with the Implementing Agents (IAs) and contractors appointed for the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project for the Northern Cape, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, in January 2024.

Vass said the project was launched to address the huge housing backlog in the Northern Cape and will deliver a total of 2500 units as part of the first phase of the project, across 13 local municipalities, in the 5 districts of the province. He further said the meeting was part of ongoing engagements with the contractors to address delays in the building process that may delay the delivery of these houses to the beneficiaries.

“There is a need for contractors to accelerate the pace and to meet their contractual obligations and agreed timelines. We are not going to tolerate undue delays or shoddy workmanship, because our communities deserve good quality houses, sooner than later, from this government. 

“We are monitoring your performances closely across the five districts, and we are going to ultimately terminate non-performing contractors because we cannot continue at this slow pace,’’ said Vass.

He added that two Implementing Agents (IAs) and nineteen contractors, were appointed by the department in 2024 to be part of this project. Vass said the IAs are responsible for overseeing the entire project. 

“They committed to monitoring the contractors closely and to apply necessary proactive measures to prevent any delays,” he said.

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MINMEC will discuss a wide range of issues

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Picture: MECs for COGHSTA from various provinces/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE 

13 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass said he had joined other MECs of Human Settlements, from other provinces, hosted by the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, visited Conradie Park, in Pinelands, Western Cape, as a build up to the MINMEC (Minister and MECs) Meeting, hosted in Cape Town, today. Conradie Park is an integrated human settlements development expected to yield 3500 residential units of which 1715 of them will be allocated to the Social Housing Programme and First Home Finance.

Vass said the fully integrated precinct development will on completion include two schools, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility, retail and commercial space and recreational facilities. He said he was joined by the Head of the Department (HoD), Bafedile Lenkoe, Chief Director for Human Settlements, Mr Gratitude Booysen and Head of Ministry (HoM), Mayenzeke Mbekushe, at this important MINMEC.

“The MINMEC will discuss a wide range of issues related to Human Settlements including, the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) performance by Provinces and Metro Municipalities; progress that has been made in the upgrading of Informal Settlements to Phase 3 (final phase) of the Informal Settlements Upgrading Program as per the National Housing Code of 2009, progress report on the Military Veterans Housing Programme (MVHP). 

“This includes an account of the emergency housing operations for the 2024/25 financial year. The Human Settlements MINMEC is a strategic high-level meeting between the Minister and the MECs to discuss critical matters related to human settlements development throughout the country,” said Vass.

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One Billion Housing Project On Track 

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass on oversight visits/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

11 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has embarked on oversight visits in Perth and Heuningvlei, where the One Billion Rand Housing Project will commence. The project was launched by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2024. 

Vass who was accompanied by the executive mayor of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Pulane Mogatle-Thoane, the District Municipality Speaker, Ephraim Aiseng, the Joe Morolong Local Municipality mayor, Dineo Leutlwetse-Tshabalala, Kgosikgolo Hastings Jantjie and Kgosikgolo Pule Bareki, and several councillors, also had community engagement with the housing beneficiaries in Heuningvlei.

“We briefed the delegation on the housing project for the JTG District and its progress. Over 500 houses will be built in Joe Morolong Municipality as part of the One Billion Rand Housing Project to address the housing backlog in the JTG District.

“This provided us with a first-hand opportunity to observe the progress in the JTG District and to engage with the contractors responsible for the area. The successful visit was concluded with a community meeting, where we engaged 200 housing beneficiaries at the Heuningvlei Community Hall,” he said.

Vass further said as the Northern Cape Provincial Government (NCPG, they intend to expedite the One Billion Rand Housing Project and ensure that the beneficiaries receive their quality houses sooner. He added that, to this end, they receive a weekly progress report, and the Human Settlements team is working closely with the contractors to ensure adherence to the project timelines.

“A follow-up meeting between COGHSTA, the Traditional Council, and the District and Local Municipality, will take place to address some of the challenges highlighted by members of the community, including beneficiary administration and job opportunities and sub-contracting issues.

“Following the briefing, we handed over two houses to Albert Mothobi and Selita Nkgari’s family in Churchhill. These two families were assisted after news reports on the dire state of their mud houses,” said Vass.

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Strategic measures in place to address critical challenges affecting local government

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 February 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass said he hosted a successful special MUNIMEC (Municipalities and MEC) meeting to discuss critical issues affecting local government in Springbok on 19 February 2025.

Bass said the MUNIMEC is a strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors/Mayors, and Municipal Managers, to discuss and resolve critical issues affecting the local government sphere.

He further said a total of 29 out of 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape, attended the special MUNIMEC. Bass added that, the presentations made included a report on the ward configuration process led by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

“We also received a presentation on the progress made by municipalities to adopt the standard draft by-laws for the registration of businesses, the spending by municipalities on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the revenue enhancement strategies of municipalities.

“We are happy that during the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month, progressive pronouncements were made, including relooking at the funding model of local government, to ensure modern and fit-for-purpose local sphere of government,” he said.

Vass urged the local government leadership in the province to fully take part in all the processes that will unfold affecting local government, emanating from the president speech during the SoNA. He also announced that the provincial cabinet is finalising plans to host the Northern Cape Local Government Summit.

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Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA to host MUNIMEC meeting

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The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass

By REGINALD KANYANE

18 February 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass is set host a special Municipalities and MEC (MUNIMEC) meeting on 19 February 2025, in Springbok (Namakwa District) to discuss critical issues affecting local government.

Vass said the MUNIMEC is a strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors/Mayors and Municipal Managers, of all 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape.

He further said the special MUNIMEC will receive and discuss presentations on the ward configuration processes in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Vass added that this includes the progress made by municipalities to adopt the standard draft by-laws for the registration of businesses.

“We will also receive a presentation on the security clearance (vetting) of Municipal Managers and Directors reporting directly to the Municipal Managers, amongst critical items on the agenda of the special meeting.

“We are looking forward to this special MUNIMEC, as we have identified a few matters that must be dealt with on an urgent basis to ensure that municipalities are aware of a few changes to the legislation or regulations,” he said.

Vass said they also need to familiarise themselves with legislative measures as there are upcoming Local Government elections. He said municipalities need to work closely with the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) in the unfolding process of the ward configuration.

“All 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape are expected to take part in the MUNIMEC. Some key sector departments, and local government eco-system partners, are also invited to attend the MUNIMEC that will take place at Springbok Guest Farm (Springbok, Namakwa District) on 19 February 2025,” said Vass.

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NCPG intensifies Safer Festive Season Operations  

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass during operation/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

25 December 2024- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass, led the safer festive season operations at a roadblock on the N12 Weighbridge in Kimberley on 24 December 2024.

Vass said similar operations including static roadblocks were executed across the other four districts of the province to intensify crime fighting efforts and ensure safer roads and less accidents and fatalities.

“A total of 1954 vehicles were stopped and searched, 3924 persons searched and a total of 114 traffic violations were issued across the operations. We encourage law enforcement officers to fight crime and criminality, to protect law abiding citizens.

“We wish the officials well as they execute various safer festive season operations throughout the Northern Cape,” he said.

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Safer Festive Season campaign in full swing in Northern Cape

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Picture: Safer Festive Season campaign underway/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

18 December 2024- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, Traditional Affairs, Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass, led a multi-disciplinary road block with the Provincial Traffic Department and the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the R27 road linking Calvinia and Niewoudtville on Tuesday.

A total of 158 vehicles were stopped, searched and inspected for roadworthiness and several fines were issued.

Vass said as the province intensifies its law enforcement campaign for a safer festive season and safer roads, to reduce fatalities, they will continue to call on all road users to obey the rules of the road and to buckle up. He said they should avoid speeding or drinking and driving, as part of the key principles to ensure safer roads across the province.

“Similar roadblocks and safety campaigns will be rolled out across the province,” said Vass.

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Community members encouraged to join CPFs

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Picture: Community members attending community engagement/Suppliee

By BAKANG MOKOTO

29 August 2024- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Transport, Safety and Liaison, MEC Bentley Vass, together with the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, hosted a community engagement at the Kagung Community Hall in Mothibistad on 28 August 2024.

The engagement was attended by relevant heads and representatives of entities, including Commissioner, Subashni Moodley, the Regional Commissioner for Correctional Services in the Free State and Northern Cape, SAPS District Commissioners and Provincial Heads, Advocate Mpho Tau from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the chairperson of District Community Policing Forum, Tebogo Kedithibetse.

Vass said the focus of the engagement was to encourage stronger relationships between the community and law enforcement in order to address challenges faced by the police and the community alike. He further said this platform created an opportunity to regain the trust of the community in the police and the modelling of a dialogue between SAPS and relevant government departments.

“We need to promote the fostering of solidarity within the community to instil an overall sense of security. The community structures play a vital role and we encourage communities to join community structures and neighbourhood watch sectors.

“Crime against children remains a priority and swift action must be taken. A zero tolerance approach must be followed towards Gender-Based Violence (GBV) related offences. The community members were afforded the opportunity to voice concerns and share information with the panel of guests, who provided responses accordingly,” added Vass.

Ngubelanga furnished remarks and emphasized the importance of sound partnerships. He encouraged the community to reclaim their streets and not be afraid of criminals.

“We need to highlight the danger of substance and alcohol abuse as they are the generators of crime. So, we urge the community to utilise the services offered by the SAPS Inspectorate component, when lodging complaints relating to services delivered by SAPS.

Meanwhile, Kedithibese said: “The community engagements will continue to be conducted throughout the district to address concerns and strengthen partnerships.”

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